Folksy Friday :: Community Spirit!

Today’s Folksy Friday is a little different as recently we spotted a story unfolding on the forums that really put a smile on our faces, we were brimming with pride at the great community that has formed here at Folksy and wanted to share it as an extra special Folksy Friday. We asked Michelle from Mum4Beads if she would be kind enough to re tell the story for us here on the blog…

Hi I’m Michelle mum of 4 wonderful kids, one of whom happens to have Down’s Syndrome and an associated major heart defect. I am a keen (fair-weather) runner and having reached a landmark birthday last September I decided to have another bash at the London Marathon whilst raising funds for the British Heart Foundation. The BHF is a charity that has played a big part in our lives since at 16 weeks Gabriella had major open heart surgery which saved her life. As well as the amazing pioneering research that the BHF fund every year, they also give help and advice to families like us. During those first weeks when Gabriella was diagnosed and then right up to her surgery when she was in heart failure there was always someone available with support, advice or just a few kind words. Gaby is now a strapping 12 yo and doing very well, she may need further surgery in the future but that is a hurdle we will cross when we reach it.

Under starters orders!

My lovely hubby and I were both thrilled to be accepted in the ballot for this year’s London Marathon! We joined the BHF Heart RunnersTeam and have both been training hard….until disaster struck! A few weeks ago Justin injured his back at work and after several weeks rest he cannot run a single step without pain! We have therefore taken the decision to defer our places and run together in the 2012 London Marathon giving Justin the chance to fully recover. This has been really disappointing for us both and was a hard decision to make. The only good thing to come out of our disappointment is the fact that we now have a whole year to fundraise! :D

Next stop Folksy! I joined this wonderful community in Jan 2010 and have really enjoyed my time there so far. Not only have I had great success with sales in both of my shops mimib and mum4beads, I have made some wonderful ‘online’ friends, made some fantastic purchases and received great advice, help and support in all areas of developing my business and also on a personal level.

I recently posted my story and asked if anyone could help me in my fundraising efforts. As anyone who raises money for charity knows, it can be an uphill struggle in today’s economic climate so I need all the help I can gather! The response to my post was nothing short of Amazing! No less than 39 fellow Folksters offered donations of money or their crafts or both! I was totally overwhelmed with the wonderful donations and messages of support.

On March 2nd I held a sale at my house selling my jewellery designs, Phoenix cards, cupcakes and crafts donated by some wonderful people on Folksy. The Folksy table was brimming with a wonderful array of crafts, it looked fab and my friends were amazed that so many lovely things had been donated!

Each and every item that I received was fantastic, individual, great quality and well made!
My fellow crafters/designers have re-enforced the whole Folksy ethos to me, they love to craft and make, they do it well with care and attention and they are ready to help and support each other when they can! I am proud to be a part of this fantastic community! The shops listed below are all brimming with wonderful items and every one is worth a peek!